Pralatrexate Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 11, 2025.

Applies to pralatrexate: intravenous solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant before you receive this medicine. If you are a woman of childbearing potential, you should use two forms of birth control together to avoid getting pregnant while you are receiving this medicine. If you have become pregnant during your treatment, tell your doctor right away.

Pralatrexate can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

• If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor right away if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
• Check with your doctor right away if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising; black, tarry stools; blood in the urine or stools; or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
• Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
• Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
• Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.

This medicine may cause mucositis, which is redness or sores on the inside of the mouth or tongue. Check with your doctor right away if you have cracked lips, diarrhea, difficulty with swallowing, or sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside of the mouth while you are receiving this medicine.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin; red skin lesions; severe acne or skin rash; sores or ulcers on the skin; or fever or chills while you are receiving this medicine.

This medicine may cause a serious type of reaction called tumor lysis syndrome. Your doctor may give you a medicine to help prevent this. Call your doctor right away if you have a decrease or change in urine amount; joint pain, stiffness, or swelling; lower back, side, or stomach pain; a rapid weight gain; swelling of the feet or lower legs; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of pralatrexate

Along with its needed effects, pralatrexate may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking pralatrexate:

Other side effects of pralatrexate

Some side effects of pralatrexate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to pralatrexate: intravenous solution.

General adverse events

The most common side effects observed in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) were mucositis, thrombocytopenia, nausea, and fatigue.^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Thrombocytopenia (41%), anemia (34%), neutropenia (24%), leukopenia (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Febrile neutropenia, pancytopenia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Mucositis (70%), nausea (40%), constipation (33%), vomiting (25%), diarrhea (21%), anorexia (15%)^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Edema (30%), tachycardia (10%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiopulmonary arrest^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Cough (28%), epistaxis (26%), dyspnea (19%), upper respiratory tract infection (10%)

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dehydration

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (15%), pruritus (14%)
• Frequency not reported: Skin exfoliation, ulceration, toxic epidermal necrolysis

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (36%), pyrexia (32%), pharyngolaryngeal pain (14%), abdominal pain (12%), pain in extremity (12%), back pain (11%), night sweats (11%), asthenia (10%)

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Abnormal liver function tests (13%)

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Sepsis

See also:

Further information

Pralatrexate side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer